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Herat Rugs

The present city of Herat in western Afghanistan dates back to ancient times, but its exact age remains unknown. In Achaemenid times, the surrounding district was known as Haraiva (in Old Persian), and in classical sources the region was correspondingly known as Areia. The name of the district and its main town is derived from that of the chief river of the region, the Hari-rud which traverses the district and passes just south of modern Herat. Herat was a frontier area between different geographical and cultural zones, bringing together the Turkman steppes, the deserts of Sistan, the Iranian plateau, and the Hindu Kush. Once the most important city in eastern Iran, today the ancient city and the area make the northwestern province of Afghanistan. Herat is considered an ancient weaving center among Persian cities. Royal workshops were established in Herat under the Safavid Rule (1501-1736). The renaissance of the Persian arts kindled in Herat during the reign of Shahrukh (r. 1405- 1447). Tabriz and Isfahan, the next Iranian capitals, where deeply under the Influence of Herat Library in which great masters such as Behzad had been trained. Lots of Persian designs are attributed to Herat and named so after the city, like the famous repeat pattern Mahi (fish) which is also called Herati. Today Herat is a source for tribal pieces rather than a center for city-style Persian rugs. Its surrounding area is home to various tribes like Baluchs, Pashtuns and Turkmens the weavings of whom gathered ultimately in the Herat bazar.
Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād
Gawhar Shad Mausoleum from the Timurid period

Technical aspects and the structure of Herat Rugs

Tribal pieces gathered ultimately in Herat are mostly woven by Baluchs, Turkmens and Pashtuns who live semi-nomadically in surrounding villages. Older pieces of such kind may enjoy a type of warp made of sheep wool and goat hair. New pieces may be woven on cotton foundation. Rug sizes are preferred due to the nature of tribal weaving. Prayer rugs are woven by all tribes.
Turkoman Rug, Afghanistan, c.1974
Carpet Seller, Herat, Afghanistan, c.1974
Afghanistan, Herat, Turcoman with carpet woven by wives

Dyeing and painting of Herat Rugs

The palette of Baluchi pieces gathered ultimately in Herat dominated by red, dark blue and brown. Other tribes of Herat follow the Baluch’s palette. Ivory is essential in Turkmen designs. Herat’s Turkmen pieces painted with lesser red in comparison to those Turkmen pieces woven in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
Herat, Carpet Sellers
Herat, Carpet Sellers
Gul Berjasta Herat Carpet

Designs and patterns of Herat Rugs

Geometric medallions and patterns form the majority of Herat tribal designs. Tribal prayer rugs of the area are designed with all-over geometric patterns, some with stepped mihrabs, and others with a tree of life. The latter seem to have a Baluch origin but also used by the other nomads of the area. Turkmens of Herat design their carpets with Tekke Gul. The Universal design attributed to the city of Herat is as all-over design consisting of a flower framed in a diamond with curving leaves out of it parallel to each side. Recalling tiny fishes, these curving leaves have been named ‘mahi’ (fish) or ‘mahi-dar-ham’ (twisted fish) most probably by weavers and merchants.
Antique Afghan Herat Rug, 18th Century
Antique Afghan Herat Rug, 16th Century
Gul Berjasta Herat Carpet
Antique Afghan Herat Rug, 16th Century
An extremely fine and rare antique Herat rug woven in the South Khorassan province, circa 1880 the weave is very fine and the wool is of the finest quality. Beautiful natural faded dyes, using a pale salmon background with the famous ‘Herati’ design consisting of two leaves around a flower. Soft yellow minor borders either side of the large main border with gorgeous scrollwork
Gul Berjasta Herat Carpet
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